Container for goods

ABSTRACT

A container for goods, such as an item of luggage ( 1 ) has a storage compartment ( 4 ) having an outer member ( 7 ), a flexible inner lining ( 10 ) and an adjustable protection means ( 11 ) located between the outer member ( 7 ) and the lining ( 10 ). The adjustable protection means has two modes, a protection mode and a storage mode and is adjustable between the two modes.

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for goods and moreparticularly to a container for goods which is adaptable to protectsensitive goods carried therein.

[0002] Containers of all shapes and sizes are used to store andtransport goods from one geographical location to another. Some goodsare of a robust nature and do not require any special attention duringstorage and transportation. There are, however, a substantial amount ofgoods transported that are of a frangible nature. These goods aretransported in a variety of containers from large industrial shippingcontainers by transport companies to individual camcorder protectioncovers carried by individuals. Inevitably, some of the fragile goodsstored and transported in this way end up damaged or broken and generateproblems for the owners, insurers and manufacturers of fragile goodseach year.

[0003] Containers for goods such as luggage which is collected,transported and loaded by means of a baggage handling system,particularly by systems of the type commonly used in airports, willinevitably encounter a lot of impact forces due to the weight of otherluggage falling onto it or being placed on top of it by baggagehandlers. Baggage handlers, whilst being as cautious as possible not tohandle any luggage roughly, are under pressure to load and unload asubstantial amount of luggage from tightly scheduled arriving anddeparting flights. It is therefore inevitable that a certain percentageof the overall luggage will be exposed to relatively rough treatment andfragile articles contained therein will be damaged or ultimately broken.These problems are not restricted to large baggage handling systemswhich are predominantly used in airports but are also encountered bypassengers of trains and coaches who generally have their luggage storedin a central storage area on the vehicle.

[0004] In an effort to overcome these problems, items of luggage havingrigid sides similar to old style trunks have been developed and providean excellent alternative to the more traditional soft-sided luggage.However, luggage having rigid sides is generally bulky and awkward tocarry and adds weight to the overall article of luggage. Furthermore, ifthe rigid sided luggage is not fully packed, the incorporated goods arefree to tumble around inside due to the unused space in the article ofluggage. It is also unsuitable to be carried over the shoulder or byhandles. Travellers or backpackers carrying fragile equipment such ascomputers, telephones, cameras or camcorders require the protection thatrigid sided luggage would provide for their equipment, but it is oftenimpracticable and uncomfortable especially in circumstances where thetravellers are constantly on the move or are encountering rough terrain.Soft sided luggage is lighter and easier to carry and thus more suitablehowever, it is unable to adequately protect its contents from the roughhandling that such situations presents and sensitive goods are oftendamaged due to the lack of protection provided by soft sided luggage.

[0005] There is therefore a need for an item of luggage which is lightand easy to carry but which also provides adequate protection for itscontents.

[0006] A variety of luggage articles have been developed in the priorart in an attempt to provide protection for the contents of an item ofluggage. For example, inflatable air inserts have been provided in U.S.Pat. No. 4,569,082—Ainsworth K. L., U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,778—Kovins M.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,970—Jordan C.P., U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,453—Ono D.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,867—Fisher R. J., U.S. Pat. No. 3,587,794—Mattel H.and U.S. Pat. No. 1,927,471—Salomon I. J. All of these inventions dependon positive pressure being added to the inflatable insert beforeprotection is provided for the contents stored therein. Additionally,the protection afforded by the insert is rendered useless if the insertis punctured or pierced.

[0007] There is still clearly a need for a more robust protection meansfor goods stored in containers.

[0008] Accordingly, there is provided a container for goods comprising astorage compartment having an outer member, a flexible inner lining andan adjustable protection means mounted between the outer member and thelining to protect articles in the storage compartment, wherein theprotection means has two modes, a protection mode and a storage mode andis adjustable between the two modes.

[0009] Preferably, the outer member is a flexible member. Thisarrangement is particularly useful when the container for goods is to becarried by an individual.

[0010] Ideally, the outer member is a rigid member. This arrangement isparticularly useful for large shipping containers and other containersfor goods which require a robust external surface.

[0011] Preferably, the adjustable protection means is provided by aninflatable insert.

[0012] Ideally, the inflatable insert provides a protective layer inboth the storage mode and the protection mode. The provision of aprotective layer in the storage mode is an advantage of this inventionover all the inserts provided in the prior art.

[0013] Preferably, the inflatable insert is self-inflatable.

[0014] Ideally, the inflatable insert is shock absorbent. This greatlyreduces the risk of damage to goods stored within a container as theinsert absorbs the forces transmitted thereto as opposed to passing themon to the contents of the container.

[0015] Preferably, the form of the inflatable insert determines themaximum and minimum capacity of the storage compartment. The insert canbe inflated partially, fully or not at all in order to safely house thestored contents.

[0016] Ideally, the inflatable insert is provided by a one-piece unit.This unitary characteristic of the insert reduces the complexity of theoverall container and reduces the cost of manufacture of the insertitself.

[0017] Preferably, the one-piece insert has one internal cavity. Thesingle internal cavity allows for ease of manufacture of the insert.

[0018] Ideally, the inflatable insert comprises a foam pad insertincorporating an air valve, the foam pad insert being self-inflatablewhen the valve is opened. The foam can be deflated by opening thecontrol valve and applying pressure to the foam and then closing thevalve when all the air is expelled. The insert adds negligible extraweight to the overall item of luggage. Advantageously, the foam padinsert provides a layer of protection to fragile goods stored thereinwhen the protection means is in storage mode.

[0019] Preferably, the foam pad insert is self-inflatable when theinsert is pierced or punctured. This non-destructible feature of theinsert is particularly advantageous when compared with inflatableinserts operating on pumped air as a protection means. Products whichuse inflatable air inserts are rendered useless if the inflatable airinsert is punctured or pierced.

[0020] Ideally, the foam has a memory which restores the foam to itsoriginal form when an operator opens the valve after a period ofdeflation or when the insert is pierced or punctured.

[0021] The insert is inflatable or deflatable by a pump or orally by auser blowing air into the insert through a valve and provides protectionfor articles stored in the luggage by absorbing any impact due to roughhandling.

[0022] Preferably, the insert is inflatable or deflatable using a pumpwhich is attached to the valve and is operated either manually,electrically or by other non-manual actuation means.

[0023] Ideally, the insert is also deflatable using the valve. In theself-inflatable insert, the pump can be used to increase the pressure.

[0024] Preferably, the inflatable insert provides a protective layer atnormal atmospheric pressure.

[0025] In the most preferred embodiment, the container for goods is anitem of luggage.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pump is incorporatedinto a shoulder strap of the item of luggage. A user can increase ordecrease the pressure of the insert when carrying the luggage in theirhand or over their shoulder by operating the pump or valve. In apreferred embodiment, the storage compartment comprises a central bodyand two side panels. This form of construction allows the outer skin ofthe luggage to be produced from three pieces of material.

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment, side compartments areprovided incorporating attachment means for inter-engagement with acorresponding attachment means located on each side of the outer memberof the item of luggage.

[0028] Preferably, the attachment means are provided by strips of hookand loop material allowing the side compartments to be temporarilyattached to the item of luggage.

[0029] In another embodiment, the attachment means are provided byattachment loops.

[0030] Ideally, the adjustable protection means comprises a central bodyinsert and two side inserts. This allows standard shapes of inserts tobe placed between the outer skin and the lining of the storagecompartment.

[0031] Preferably, a pair of lifting handles is located on the outerskin of the luggage. The handles are disposed on opposite sides of theitem of luggage so that the weight of the item of luggage and itscontents are evenly balanced between the handles making the item ofluggage easier to carry.

[0032] Preferably, the item of luggage has a zip fastener for accessingthe storage compartment and the control valve and a flap is located onthe outer member of the luggage covering the zip fastener. The flap actsas a deterrent to anyone attempting to interfere with the contents ofthe item of luggage and furthermore prevents anyone from accidentally orotherwise inflating or deflating the adjustable protection means.

[0033] Preferably, the flap is fitted with a lock. The lock is anadditional safety feature provided with the item of luggage, andprevents anyone from stealing or interfering with the contents of theluggage when it is unattended by its owner.

[0034] Ideally, the container for goods is a suit carrier comprising acover sheet, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert formed forinsertion between said cover sheet and said lining whereby in use theinflatable insert prevents excessive creasing of a suit when it isrolled up inside the suit carrier. The inflatable insert allows a userto roll the suit carrier into a compact bundle that may be placed insidethe item of luggage for storing and transporting.

[0035] In one embodiment, the container for goods is a shippingcontainer comprising a rigid outer member, a flexible inner lining andan inflatable foam pad insert mounted between said rigid outer memberand said lining whereby in use the insert prevents excessive movement ofthe fragile goods within the container and additionally preventspotentially harmful contact between the goods and the side walls of thecontainer.

[0036] In another embodiment, the container for goods is a case fortechnical equipment such as a telephone, palmtop or a laptop computercomprising an outer member, a flexible inner lining and an inflatablefoam pad insert mounted between said outer member and said liningwhereby in use the insert reduces the risk of damage to the laptopcomputer or other technical equipment. Laptop computers are an expensiveitem and may contain a substantial amount of useful information so it isvital that they are afforded as much protection as possible.

[0037] In a still further embodiment, the container for goods is a casefor a musical instrument such as a keyboard, a guitar or any musicalinstrument comprising an outer member, a flexible inner lining and aninflatable foam pad insert mounted between said outer member and saidlining whereby in use the insert reduces the risk of damage to themusical instrument.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, the container for goods is a case foroptical equipment such as a camera or camcorder comprising an outermember, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable foam pad insertmounted between said outer member and said lining whereby in use theinsert reduces the risk of damage to the optical equipment.

[0039] The invention will hereinafter be more particularly describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of exampleonly, six embodiments of a container for goods according to theinvention.

[0040]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an item of luggage in an openposition;

[0041]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an item of luggage incorporating aflap in a closed position;

[0042]FIG. 3 is a partial perspective detail view of a valve of theinflatable insert;

[0043]FIG. 4 is a section view through the item of luggage showing theinsert in a deflated mode;

[0044]FIG. 5 is a section view through the item of luggage showing theinsert in an inflated mode;

[0045]FIG. 6 is a section view through the item of luggage showing theinsert in an inflated mode surrounding fragile goods;

[0046]FIG. 7 is a section view through a suit carrier;

[0047]FIG. 8 is a section view of the suit carrier of FIG. 7 in apartially folded position;

[0048]FIG. 9 is a cut-away elevation view of a suit carrierincorporating an inflatable insert;

[0049]FIG. 10 is a cut-away perspective view of a shipping containerincorporating an inflatable insert;

[0050]FIG. 11 is a cut-away perspective view of a container for a laptopcomputer incorporating an inflatable insert;

[0051]FIG. 12 is a cut-away perspective view of a container for a guitarincorporating an inflatable insert; and

[0052]FIG. 13 is a cut-away perspective view of a container for a cameraincorporating an inflatable insert;

[0053] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG 1 to 6 there isshown an item of luggage indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.The item of luggage 1 has a storage compartment 4 having an outer member7, a flexible inner lining 10 and an adjustable protection means. Theadjustable protection means is provided by an inflatable insert 11mounted between the outer member 7 and the flexible inner lining 10. Theinsert 11 is provided more specifically by a foam pad insert. The insert11 has a control valve 9. A number of loops 3 are provided on oppositesides of the outer member 7 of the item of luggage 1 for attaching ashoulder strap. A pair of lifting handles 2 are also located on theouter skin 7 of the item of luggage 1. A flap 15 secured by fasteners 14cover a zip fastener 6 and the control valve 9.

[0054] Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2,the storage compartment 4 comprises a central body 12 and additionalside compartments (not shown). Side compartments can be attached to theitem of luggage 1 about a number of attachment loops 13 located on thesides of the luggage 1. The main storage compartment 4 and the sidecompartments each has a zip fastener 6 (see FIG. 3) attached whichallows access to the compartments. The flexible inner lining 10 alsoprovides a seal 15 to allow a user access to a further internal storagepocket.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 6, there is shown a foam pad insert11 in the deflated storage mode (see FIG. 4), the inflated protectionmode (see FIG. 5) and the inflated protection mode having goods 16stored therein (see FIG. 6).

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 a suit carrier indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 21 is shown comprising a cover 22 andan inflatable foam insert 23. The cover 22 has a front sheet 24, a rearsheet 25 and a zip fastener 27. A suit occupies the space between thefront sheet 24 of the cover 22 and the foam insert 23. A flexible innerlining (not shown) is provided to enclose the insert 23 between thelining and the rear sheet 25. A user can then roll the suit carrier 21housing the suit into a compact package for storing and transportinginside the item of luggage 1. The foam insert 23 prevents the suit frombecoming excessively creased while it is rolled up inside the suitcarrier 21.

[0057] Referring to the drawings and now to FIG. 10, there is shown ashipping container indicated generally by the reference numeral 101. Thecontainer 101 has a rigid outer shell 102, an inflatable foam insert 103and a flexible inner lining 104. A large quantity of goods 105 arestored in the container 101. Referring now to FIGS. 11 to 13 there isshown a container 111 for a laptop computer 112, a container 113 for aguitar 114 and a container 115 for a camera 116. The containers allincorporate an inflatable foam insert 103.

[0058] In use articles are placed into the main compartment 4 of thecontainer 1, 101, 111, 113 and 115 through an opening such as the openedzip fastener 6. Next the zip fastener 6 is partially closed and theinserts 11, 103 are inflated by opening the control valve 9 or using apump (not shown) attached to the control valve 9. The inflatable inserts11, 103 fill the empty space within the container 1, 101, 111, 113 and115. When the inflation is complete the contents are securely retainedin place thereby preventing unwanted movement within the container 1,101, 111, 113 and 115 which could lead to damage of the contents. Theinflated inserts 11, 103 also provide cushioning which will reduce thelikelihood of damage due to rough handling of the container 1, 101, 111,113 and 115. Articles can be removed from the container 1, 101, 111, 113and 115 without having to deflate the inserts 11, 103. When a userwishes to deflate the inserts 11, 103 the control valve 9 is releasedwhich in turn deflates the inserts 11, 103. Where the inserts 11, 103are provided by foam pads a user may apply pressure to the inserts 11,103 to deflate them.

[0059] The container for goods provides a user with both a soft-sidedcontainer for carrying durable items and a rigid sided container forcarrying fragile goods by means of an integral adjustable protectionmeans. The protection means is adjustable subject to a usersrequirements and beneficially, adds negligible weight to the overallitem of luggage.

[0060] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific details described above, which are given by way of exampleonly, and that various modifications and alterations are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

1. A container for goods comprising a storage compartment having anouter member, a flexible inner lining and an adjustable protection meansfor protecting articles in said storage compartment, said adjustableprotection means mounted between the outer member and the lining,wherein the adjustable protection means is provided by a self-inflatableinsert, wherein the adjustable protection means is selectivelyadjustable between a protection mode and a storage mode, and wherein thepressure in the self-inflatable insert may be increased to provideadditional protection.
 2. A container for goods as claimed in claim 1,wherein the outer member is a flexible member.
 3. A container for goodsas claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer member is a rigid member.
 4. Acontainer for goods as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable insertprovides a protective layer in both the storage mode and the protectionmode.
 5. A container for goods as claimed in claim 1, wherein theinflatable insert is shock absorbent.
 6. A container for goods asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable insert determines the maximumand minimum capacity of the storage compartment.
 7. A container forgoods as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable insert is providedby a one-piece unit.
 8. A container for goods as claimed in claim 7,wherein the one-piece unit has one internal cavity.
 9. A container forgoods as claimed in claim 1, where the inflatable insert comprises afoam pad insert incorporating an air valve.
 10. A container for goods asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the foam pad insert is self inflatable withthe valve is opened.
 11. A container for goods as claimed in claim 9,wherein the foam pad insert is self-inflatable when the insert ispierced or punctured.
 12. A container for goods as claimed in claim 9,wherein the foam is deflatable by opening the valve, applying pressureto the foam and closing the valve when substantially all the air isexpelled.
 13. A container for goods as claimed in claim 9, wherein thefoam has a memory which restores the foam to its original form when anoperator opens the valve after a period of deflation or when the insertis pierced or punctured.
 14. A container for goods as claimed in claim1, where the insert is inflatable by a pump or by a user blowing airinto the insert through a valve.
 15. A container for goods as claimed inclaim 1, where the insert is deflatable by a pump extracting air fromthe insert through the valve.
 16. A container for goods as claimed inclaim 9, further comprising: a pump for inflating or deflating saidinsert; and a tube having a first end connected to said pump and asecond end selectively attached to said valve for allowing the pump toincrease or decrease the pressure in said insert.
 17. A container forgoods as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert is deflatable by meansof the valve.
 18. A container for goods as claimed in claim 1, where apump is usable to increase or decrease the pressure in the inflatableinsert.
 19. A container for goods as claimed in claim 1, where theinflatable insert provides a protective layer at normal atmosphericpressure.
 20. A container for goods as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecontainer is an item of luggage.
 21. A container for goods as claimed inclaim 16, wherein said container is an item of luggage further includinga shoulder strap attached to said container, and said shoulder straphaving a cavity for housing said pump and said tube.
 22. A container forgoods as claimed in claim 20, wherein the storage compartment comprisesa central body and side panels.
 23. A container for goods as claimed inclaim 20, wherein the side panels are provided incorporating attachmentmeans for inter-engagement with a corresponding attachment means locatedon the side of the outer member of the item of luggage.
 24. A containerfor goods as claimed in claim 23, wherein the attachment means areprovided by strips of hook and loop material allowing the sidecompartments to be temporarily attached to the item of luggage.
 25. Acontainer for goods as claimed in claim 20, wherein a pair of liftinghandles is located on the outer member of the item of luggage.
 26. Acontainer for goods as claimed in claim 20, wherein the container has azip fastener for accessing the storage compartment and the control valveand a flap is located on the outer member of the luggage covering thezip fastener.
 27. A container for goods as claimed in claim 26, whereinthe flap is fitted with a lock.
 28. A container for goods as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the container is in the form of a suit carriercomprising a cover sheet, a flexible inner lining and an inflatableinsert formed for insertion between said cover sheet and said liningwhereby in use the inflatable insert prevents excessive creasing of asuit when it is rolled up inside the suit carrier.
 29. A container forgoods as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is provided in theform of a sleeping bag having an inflatable insert formed for insertioninto said sleeping bag.
 30. A container for goods as claimed in claim 1,wherein the container is provided in the form of a shipping containercomprising a rigid outer member, a flexible inner lining and aninflatable insert mounted between said rigid outer member and saidlining.
 31. A container for goods as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecontainer is provided in the form of a case for technical equipment suchas a laptop computer, a telephone or a palmtop comprising an outermember, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert mounted betweensaid outer member and said lining.
 32. A container for goods as claimedin claim 1, wherein the container is provided in the form of a case forany musical instrument such as a keyboard or guitar comprising an outermember, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert mounted betweensaid outer member and said lining.
 33. A container for goods as claimedin claim 1, wherein the container is provided in the form of a case foroptical equipment such as a camera, camcorder or video comprising anouter member, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert mountedbetween said outer member and said lining whereby in use the insertreduces the risk of damage to optical equipment.